natural

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/ˈnætʃrəl/
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It describes things that exist in nature rather than being made by humans, qualities that are innate or typical, and also serves as a noun for a person with innate talent or a legal natural person.

Examples

  • The young natural amazed everyone with his piano skills.
  • The audience recognized the natural as a future star.
  • The coach praised the natural for his quick learning.
  • He possesses a natural gift for mathematics.
  • Even at ten, the natural could code complex programs.

Similar words

native
genuine
normal
standard
instinctive
typical
pure
raw
person
unprocessed

Meanings

Existing in or produced by nature

adjective
everyday
neutral
Not made or caused by humans, referring to objects, substances, or processes that occur in the natural world.

Usage

Use natural for things that exist in nature without human creation.

Examples

  • The natural landscape attracted many hikers.
  • She prefers natural fabrics over synthetics.
  • The natural sound of the river soothed the campers.
  • Scientists study natural processes to understand climate change.
  • The natural color of the stone was a deep gray.
  • He chose a natural remedy for his cold.

Common mistakes

Common errors involve using natural for artificial items or confusing it with naturalized.
IncorrectCorrect
The plastic bottle is natural. The plastic bottle is artificial.
She prefers natural foods only. She prefers organic foods only.
He gave a natural answer. He gave an instinctive answer.
Natural of the city. Nature of the city.

Similar words

Innate or inherent

adjective
psychology
neutral
Describing a quality, talent, or disposition that a person or thing possesses without learning or training.

Usage

Use natural to describe innate abilities or qualities that a person has without training.

Examples

  • She has a natural talent for languages.
  • His natural charisma made him a great leader.
  • The child showed a natural ability to solve puzzles.
  • Her natural sense of rhythm helped her dance.
  • He possesses a natural gift for mathematics.
  • The dog displayed a natural instinct to protect its owner.

Common mistakes

Errors often mix up natural with learned or misuse it in comparative forms.
IncorrectCorrect
She is more natural than her sister. She is more talented than her sister.
His natural skill came from practice. His skill came from practice.
More natural than others. More innate than others.
He has a natural to sing. He has a natural talent for singing.

Similar words

Typical or expected

adjective
everyday
neutral
Conforming to what is usual, normal, or expected in a given situation.

Usage

Use natural to indicate something that is usual or expected in a situation.

Examples

  • It is natural to feel nervous before a performance.
  • Given the weather, a natural delay was anticipated.
  • Her natural response was to laugh.
  • The natural course of events led to the conclusion.
  • It was natural for the crowd to cheer.
  • A natural part of the process is cleaning the equipment.

Common mistakes

Mistakes include using natural for unusual items or confusing it with normal.
IncorrectCorrect
It is natural to see snow in the desert. It is unusual to see snow in the desert.
His reaction was natural. His reaction was expected.
A natural outcome of the experiment. A typical outcome of the experiment.
She felt natural about the surprise. She felt comfortable about the surprise.

Similar words

A person with innate talent

noun
everyday
neutral
Someone who displays a natural ability or skill in a particular area.

Usage

Use natural to refer to a person who shows exceptional innate ability.

Examples

  • The young natural amazed everyone with his piano skills.
  • She is a natural when it comes to painting.
  • He proved to be a natural in mathematics during the competition.
  • The coach praised the natural for his quick learning.
  • Even at ten, the natural could code complex programs.
  • The audience recognized the natural as a future star.

Common mistakes

Errors include using natural for any skilled person or mixing it with naturalist.
IncorrectCorrect
She is a natural at cooking. She is a prodigy at cooking.
He is a natural in the team. He is a star in the team.
The natural solved the puzzle quickly. The prodigy solved the puzzle quickly.
Calling him a natural is inaccurate. Calling him a prodigy is accurate.

Similar words

A natural person

noun
legal
formal
In law, a human being as opposed to a juridical or artificial entity.

Usage

Use natural in legal contexts to mean a human being as opposed to a corporation.

Examples

  • Only a natural may file a lawsuit in this jurisdiction.
  • The law distinguishes between a natural and a juridical entity.
  • A natural is liable for personal debts.
  • The registration requires proof of being a natural.
  • Rights granted to a natural include voting.
  • The court ruled that the natural was responsible for the breach.

Common mistakes

Mistakes involve using natural for natural objects or ignoring the legal nuance.
IncorrectCorrect
The contract was signed by a natural. The contract was signed by a natural person.
A natural can own property. A natural person can own property.
Legal rights apply to naturals. Legal rights apply to natural persons.
The court recognized the natural. The court recognized the natural person.

Similar words

Usage

Use natural according to the sense: for things existing in nature, innate qualities, typical situations, a gifted person, or a human being in law.

Common mistakes

Confusing natural with artificial is a common mistake.

Etymology

From Latin naturalis ‘of nature’, from natura ‘nature’, related to natus ‘born’.

FAQ

What does natural mean in everyday language?

Natural describes things that exist in nature, not made by humans, such as forests, stones, or raw materials.

How is natural used to describe innate abilities?

When referring to a person’s natural talent, it means the ability is inherent and does not require training.

Can natural refer to a person with talent?

Yes, a natural can be a noun meaning someone who shows exceptional innate skill in a field.

What is the legal meaning of natural?

In law, natural denotes a human being, distinguishing a natural person from a corporate or juridical entity.

Is natural ever used as a noun for a human being?

Yes, in legal contexts natural is a noun meaning a human being, as opposed to an artificial entity.

What is the origin of the word natural?

The term comes from Latin naturalis ‘of nature’, derived from natura ‘nature’.

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